UPSC ESSENTIALS NEWS

Why air pollution needs a long-term solution, not a reactive approach

January 13, 2026 08:10 IST

Air pollution remains a persistent issue in India, with the Delhi-NCR particularly recording some of the worst AQI globally each year. What kind of possible measures are needed to shift from the seasonal, reactive approach to long-term, preventive planning?

UPSC Essentials | Daily Quiz — History and Culture: Vivekananda, commemorative days, historical personalities and more (week 140)

January 12, 2026 18:09 IST

UPSC Prelims 2026: How did colonial science reshape Indian self-understanding? From Vivekananda and Vedic science to 'Hindu Chemistry' and Jamia Millia Islamia, today’s UPSC Essentials quiz connects history, ideas, and personalities that still matter for Prelims.

Knowledge Nugget: Silver in the Spotlight — What You Must Know About the Precious–Industrial Metal for the UPSC Exam

Knowledge Nugget | Silver in spotlight: What you must know about the precious–industrial metal for UPSC Exam

January 13, 2026 11:01 IST

Silver has surged over 160% in 2025 and is still climbing in 2026. But why is this metal rising faster than gold? Is it jewellery demand—or AI, solar power and supply constraints? As silver turns strategic, from its properties to its uses, here’s what you need to know. Also, go 'Beyond the Nugget' to know about the Gold and its properties.

UPSC Current Affairs Pointers of the past week | January 5 to January 11, 2026

January 13, 2026 10:49 IST

Did you miss out on important current affairs tidbits from last week for your Prelims and Mains preparation? Here's a checklist of the must-know facts: learn about the OPEC+, Virat Ramayana Temple, Somnath Swabhiman Parv, Greenland, and more. You can also test your knowledge by solving MCQs.

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Operation Hawkeye Strike and more (Week 144)

January 11, 2026 20:13 IST

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on International Relations.

upsc swami vivekananda ethics simplified

Ethics Simplified : How does Vivekananda’s philosophy take us from ‘I’ to humanity?

January 12, 2026 12:36 IST

Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary: A chance train meeting, an unexpected letter from Harvard, and a speech that stunned the world—what lay behind Vivekananda’s global impact? Let us explore how his philosophy transforms personal ethics into universal responsibility.

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Quiz | January 04 to January 10, 2026

January 11, 2026 09:05 IST

UPSC Prelims Weekly Current Affairs MCQs: Why these questions for Prelims 2026? Kickstart your UPSC Prelims preparation early. Brush up on your current affairs knowledge with this week’s top questions and consolidate your UPSC CSE preparation. Find answers along with detailed explanations.

Expert Talk | UPSC Prelims CSAT Challenge: Why aspirants fail and how to prepare better

January 10, 2026 17:18 IST

UPSC Prelims 2026: CSAT may be only a qualifying paper, but it has derailed the UPSC journey of thousands. Why does this paper continue to trouble even well-prepared aspirants? CSAT expert Dr. Mansoor Agha Siddiqui explains where candidates go wrong and how to approach the paper differently for Prelims 2026.

The World This Week | Shock and awe in Caracas, NATO at crossroads over Greenland, and Crown Prince of Iran makes his voice heard

The World This Week | Shock and awe in Caracas, NATO at crossroads over Greenland, Crown Prince of Iran makes his voice heardSubscriber Only

January 10, 2026 13:18 IST

From the US capturing sitting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the anti-regime protests in Iran, a lot has happened around the world this week – here is a look at some of the key events.

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on white-bellied heron, Andes mountain range and more (Week 144)Subscriber Only

January 9, 2026 19:59 IST

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on Environment and Geography.

How PM Modi’s visit to Jordan reiterates India’s multialigned approach to the Middle EastSubscriber Only

January 12, 2026 12:11 IST

Why does Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jordan in December 2025 acquire greater significance? What kind of political, strategic, and economic importance does the Hashemite Kingdom hold for India?

Trump, US, Venezuela, rules-based international order

Beyond Trending: What is rules-based international order? Subscriber Only

January 12, 2026 11:53 IST

Why has the unilateral military action by the Trump Administration against the sovereign state of Venezuela triggered an intense debate about the post-WWII Rules-Based International Order (RBIO)?

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, upsc, report

Knowledge Nugget: Why the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2026 is UPSC relevantSubscriber Only

January 9, 2026 15:10 IST

The expenditure of countries are more on ‘instruments of war than on investments in peace’, says the latest UN report. What are the other key highlights of the report? In ‘Beyond the Nugget’, also learn about the Sevilla Commitment.

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Economy MCQs on thorium reserves, Venezuelan crude oil and more (Week 144)Subscriber Only

January 8, 2026 19:45 IST

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on Economy.

What US military strikes in Venezuela reveal about global illegal drug supply chainSubscriber Only

January 12, 2026 12:10 IST

Apart from the intense debate over the US military operation in Venezuela, the Latin American state is also seen as offering a cautionary lesson about the trajectory of state-enabled drug trafficking. But how has the rise of synthetic drugs altered the nature of the narcotics threat to India?

UPSC Mains Answer Practice GS 1: cultural significance of the Piprahwa relics and bomb cyclones | Week 136Subscriber Only

January 8, 2026 16:42 IST

UPSC Mains Answer Practice GS 1 : Are you preparing for Civil Services Exam 2026? Here are questions from GS paper 1 for this week with essential points as the fodder for your answers. Do not miss points to ponder and answer in the comment box below.

Knowledge Nugget: Kerala’s first International Spice Routes Conference and Black PepperSubscriber Only

January 9, 2026 16:45 IST

UPSC Current Affairs: Kerala’s hosting of the first International Spice Routes Conference highlights the historical significance of black pepper in shaping ancient trade routes and global interactions. In today’s Knowledge Nugget, learn about pepper’s role in defining spice-route regions.

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on binary code, Metal-Organic Frameworks and more (Week 144)Subscriber Only

January 7, 2026 20:48 IST

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on Science and Technology.

Does the renewal of Ganga Water Treaty need a basin-centric approach?Subscriber Only

January 8, 2026 08:37 IST

Before the formal negotiations for renewing the treaty begin, both India and Bangladesh have articulated concerns reflecting changed circumstances. But how would a basin-centric approach help address the changed hydrological, developmental, and climatic realities?

UPSC Essentials | Mains Answer Practice | GS 2 : Questions on India–EU FTA negotiations and AI in law enforcement (Week 136)Subscriber Only

January 7, 2026 16:53 IST

UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam: Strengthen your conceptual clarity and answer-writing skills with structured guidance, key points, and self-evaluation prompts. Do not miss points to ponder and answer in the comment box below.

Knowledge Nugget: National Medical Commission- — What you must know for the UPSC Exam

Knowledge Nugget: National Medical Commission in news due to Vaishno Devi medical college row — What is it all about?Subscriber Only

January 8, 2026 11:05 IST

UPSC Current Affairs: The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently withdrew its nod to Vaishno Devi Medical College to run an MBBS course for the 2025-26 session. What exactly is the NMC, and what are its key functions? Also, go 'Beyond the Nugget' to know about the major National Health Committees.

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz: Polity and Governance MCQs on removal of a Judge, Foreigners’ Tribunal and more (Week 144)Subscriber Only

January 6, 2026 20:50 IST

Are you preparing for UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims? Check your progress and revise your topics through this quiz on Polity and Governance.

Supreme Court, India, Separation of powers

How doctrine of separation of powers prevents its concentration and misuseSubscriber Only

January 11, 2026 13:18 IST

The theory of separation of powers is rooted in the idea that the concentration of powers – the obverse of the separation of powers – is dangerous. But how does the system of checks and balances complement the principle of separation of powers?

UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on domestic solar module manufacturing and role of nanotechnology in healthcare (Week 136)Subscriber Only

January 6, 2026 15:25 IST

UPSC Mains Answer Practice GS 3 : Are you preparing for Civil Services Exam 2026? Here are questions from GS paper 3 for this week with essential points as the fodder for your answers. Do not miss points to ponder and answer in the comment box below.

Knowledge Nugget: Delhi to declare rabies a ‘notifiable disease’— What you must know for the UPSC ExamSubscriber Only

January 7, 2026 11:04 IST

Delhi is set to declare human rabies a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act. What is a notifiable disease and why is human rabies a matter of concern? Here’s all you need to know. Also, go ‘Beyond the Nugget’ know about the Epidemic Diseases Act.

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